Open and Concealed Carry on MacDill AFB

  • Published
  • 6th Security Forces Squadron

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Open or concealed carry of personally owned firearms on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida is prohibited. One highly regulated exception is the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) program.

Under the LEOSA program, approved Qualified Law Enforcement Officers (QLEO) and Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers (QRLEO) as defined in 18 USC 926B, 926C respectively, are authorized to carry concealed privately owned firearms, in certain locations on base, but qualifying for the program is rigid.

Only QLEO and QRLEOs employed by the DOD on MacDill qualify. LEOSA does not extend to qualified members transiting through MacDill or assigned at another installation, nor does this policy extend to non-QLEO/QRLEO active duty personnel, retired military personnel or members of the general public who possess a state-issued Concealed Carry Permit.

Prior to being granted authority to conceal carry, applicants must: obtain approval by their commander or civilian equivalent, undergo annual National Crime Information Center criminal history check, sign a LEOSA policy agreement, possess a valid LEOSA credential, and maintain annual weapons qualification with the weapon that will be carried.

Valid LEOSA credentials include AF Form 688D (QLEO), AF Form 688E (QRLEO), AFOSI Form 59A, AFOSI LEOSA Identification Card, or other Federal/State/Local Law Enforcement Officer Credential.

Privately owned firearms must be properly stored while on the installation.  Authorized storage locations include MacDill privatized housing or double-locked in the holder's personal vehicle concealed from public view.

Locations on MacDill where concealed carry is prohibited, even by those LEOSA qualified, are: restricted areas, controlled areas, Naval Operations Support Center, clinics and associated facilities, Commissary, Post Office, Tinker Elementary School, Child Development Centers, Family Child Care/School Age Care/Youth Center facilities, and any other facilities on the installation posted with signs indicating "no firearms allowed".

The daily safety and security of everyone on the installation is of the highest priority and concealed carry of privately owned firearms is prohibited without approved LEOSA credentials.

For additional questions regarding the LEOSA program, please contact the 6th Security Forces Squadron, at 813-828-2924.